441-02786 (Foreign affairs)

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.

Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity. On January 23, 2024, in the context of the Universal Periodic Review of China at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Canada made specific reference to Falun Gong practitioners when it called on China to end all forms of enforced disappearance. Canada also continues to engage the People’s Republic of China on these issues, including at the highest levels. During her most recent trip to China in July 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised her concerns with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On December 14, 2022, Bill S-223 regarding organ harvesting and trafficking, which parliamentarians have linked to Uyghurs and Falun Dafa practitioners in China, was adopted unanimously at third reading in the House of Commons by a vote of 324-0. Bill S-223 then received Royal Assent the following day. Bill S-223 makes it a criminal offence for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to go abroad to receive an organ taken from someone who did not give informed consent to the removal of the organ. Canada joins jurisdictions such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Norway, Spain, South Korea and Taiwan, that have passed legislation to combat forced organ harvesting, organ transplant tourism, and organ trafficking.

The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.

Furthermore, Canada continues to work closely with international partners to advance the freedom of persecuted faith and belief communities worldwide. In 2015, Canada established the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, co-Chaired by Canada and the United States. It is an important platform, which has brought together over 30 countries committed to protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief. It has helped advance coordinated initiatives concerning issues of religious minorities around the world.

Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits, public statements, representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums, interventions and advocacy by its diplomatic missions, and outreach to civil society.  The Government of Canada also regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. This includes regular meetings with Canadian civil society organizations focused on the situation of human rights in China.

The Government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) also directly outlines Canada’s approach to China. China’s rise as a global actor is reshaping the strategic outlook of every state in the region, including Canada. The third pillar of the IPS specifically invests in people, development, and the defense of human rights in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada will never apologize for pursuing its national interests, which includes upholding global rules that govern human rights.